Film set in Coventry

I am desperately seeking any knowledge about the Triumph factory that was located in Coventry before being moved after the terrible bombing on the 14th of November. I am a film maker who is researching for a feature film that is based in Coventry and starts the night before the bombing. Does anybody know of anyone who was employed at the factory during this time or after at the preliminary factory during the war years or even the Meriden factory. I would also like any leads to contacts of people who were children during this time and remained in Coventry. The film starts with a young boy from Coventry whose father and brother work at the factory. It is a motion picture in dramatic terms rather than a documentary that follows the glory days of motorcycling. Thank you for your time Andrew

I m sure some of the men on here will be able to assist you on this subject. Your motion picture sounds wonderful also lovely to hear some one is doing a film on a bit of Coventry s history wish you success with it.

I thought some of the men would of taken this up especially as it would be good advertisement for Coventry past history and what the Coventry people are capable of achieving with their knowledge that some might of been past down to encourage work into the town for may be future investors. I have got this link don't know if it will help you at all. LINK

Hello Morgana and Andrew, I think it is not that we do not want to help but for my part, everybody i knew that worked at the Triumph is now dead. Sad fact of life is we ask questions to late, wish i could help.

Here is a photograph of a late aunt working as an inspector at the Triumph at Meriden in the 1950s. Moved there during the war, enjoyed it so much she stayed until retirement. She was the Nuneaton Carnival Queen in 1932.

I recall my father explaining just how important an inspectors job was (he was one at Herberts during the war - where I think he had to be certificated by the MOD) I see she has her micrometer ready! It appears that the photo might have been taken "professionally" - do you know if it was?

As far as I know it was taken by a company photographer. I can't image any other cameras being allowed. Having said that times change.

Hi Heritage, It was just that the shadow on the wall would indicate that the flash (or whatever interior illumination used) was "off camera" which would normally be indicative of some sort of a "professional setup".

Hi There. My father worked in the drawing office at Triumph Meriden from 1944 - 1982 when it finally closed and was demolished. He then went on to work for John Bloor when he resurrected the Triumph name, finally retiring in 1994. Thus working for Triumph some 50 years in all ! I mentioned the great photo of the inspector and he comments that Triumph never had an 'in house' photogropher, but used to commission professionals from outside. The rough timeline is.. Triumph moved from Much Park St to Priory St in 1907, but the Much Park St works doesn't seem to finally close until 1938. There was also a registered office in Dale St in 1937. When Priory St was destroyed in the 1940 blitz the company moved temporarily to Cape Of Good Hope, Warwick until the Meriden factory opens in 1942. Hope that's of some help !

Thats brilliant Greeny, thanks

Hello all This thread on here serves to illustrate the value of our Coventry History Site. We can have books about our history, watch films & visit museums, but nothing will ever match the reality & interaction of all of us on here being able to share & feel along with Heritage as he remembers his Aunt at work. The song 'In the Living Years' by the 'Mechanics' is spelt out by our site here, whether it's Steven marching in the Cadets on Armistice day, the maps and info provided by Duchmann or just the response of other members adding their take on an event. I was not fond of history at school. I coped with it, but that was all. It was when I started investigating my family ancestry over thirty five years ago, where names became real people that history started to come alive for me & now with this site it lives on. What a fabulous site we have here to cherish.